Though a government shutdown is still uncertain, the effects of one can be foreseen, especially by the Department of Natural Resources.

Of roughly 2,600 total DNR employees, 220 have been deemed critical in Governor Mark Dayton’s response to Attorney General Lori Swanson. The courts have yet to make a final decision on what will be deemed as a critical service, but the criteria will be based on two categories: priority one and priority two.

Priority-one critical services are considered necessary in event of public health or safety, and priority-two critical services can be disrupted temporarily, but must continue within a few days.

Some areas of DNR to remain open include conservation law enforcement, hatcheries, dam safety and water treatment. The parks and trails division was not on the list.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr tried to offer some solace to all employees last week.

“I also want to assure you that even though your program or position is not listed as ‘Critical,’ it does not mean it is any less important than those that are on the list,” he said in an e-mail to all DNR staff. He added, “While we remain hopeful that the budget situation will be resolved before July 1, we are also actively planning for a possible shutdown, and have implemented a planning structure based on the National Incident Management System to make our plans as thorough and efficient as possible. That means teams of individuals are assuming specific roles to consider and manage for all the possible consequences of a shutdown.”

State employees are still being directed to bereadymn.com for the status of the government shutdown.

For now, local DNR officials have said they’re tending to business as usual. Wildlife managers are trying to finish a few tasks as spring winds down, and fisheries workers are busy assessing fish on area lakes, draining walleye fryling ponds and taking care of the juvenile muskie in the hatcheries.